Vernacular Eloquence

Since the publication of his groundbreaking books Writing Without Teachers and Writing with Power Peter Elbow has revolutionized the way we think about writing. As a theorist teacher and uncommonly engaging writer himself he has long championed our innate ability to write effectively. Now in Vernacular Eloquence Elbow turns his attention to the role of the spoken word in writing. He begins by questioning the basic cultural assumption that speaking and writing are two very different incompatible modes of expression and that we should keep them separate. The book explores the many linguistic and rhetorical virtues of speech--spontaneity naturalness of expression fluidity of thought--to show that many of these virtues can usefully be brought to writing. Elbow suggests that we begin the writing process by speaking our words onto the page letting the words and ideas flow without struggling to be correct. Speaking can help us at the later stages of writing too as we read drafts aloud and then revise until the language feels right in the mouth and sounds right in the ear. The result is stronger clearer more natural writing that avoids the stilted worried-over quality that so often alienates (and bores) the reader. Elbow connects these practices to a larger theoretical discussion of literacy in our culture arguing that our rules for correct writing make it harder than necessary to write well. In particular our culture''s conception of proper writing devalues the human voice the body and the linguistic power of people without privilege. Written with Elbow''s customary verve and insight Vernacular Eloquence shows how to bring the pleasures we all enjoy in speaking to the all-too-often needlessly arduous task of writing.